These days it is getting harder and harder to argue that cooking inside gives you an advantage over cooking outside. With the fresh air, warm sun inviting and convenient outdoor kitchen features, cooking or entertaining outside has never been more fun.

The real debate is over the appliances and tools used to get the most out of your outdoor cooking experience.

What is the one item or appliance in your outdoor kitchen you could not live with out?

We have put together this list of 6 Outdoor Kitchen Essentials, to show exactly which appliances and products we can't cook without.

From this list you will learn:

- The 6 "must-have's" for the crafting the perfect outdoor kitchen.

- Premium products from the most premier brands in outdoor cooking.

- 20+ outdoor kitchen photos of these amazing products in action.

If that all sounds good to you, let's get cooking!

1) Fire Magic | Outdoor Refridgerator

2) Big Green Egg | Charcoal Grill

Want to learn more about high-tech grilling on the Big Green Egg? Read this >

High End Outdoor Furniture

When we say "high end" outdoor furniture it does not automatically mean it will have a absurd price tag. High end outdoor furniture simply means that it is not going to fall apart or break in 2 to 3 years. Today high end outdoor furniture can be expected to last just as long as indoor casual living furniture, due to the quality materials used and technological advances in the outdoor furniture industry.

High End Outdoor Furniture For A Small Area

Not much outdoor space to work with? There are countless types & styles of luxury outdoor furniture collections made for small outdoor areas. Just because you don't have a huge outdoor living area doesn't mean you can't enjoy the outdoors!

High End Outdoor Furniture For Dining

Take your next dinner party outside! Outdoor dining furniture gives you a comfortable and convenient outdoor enviroment to enjoy when entertaining friends & family.

High End Outdoor Furniture For Lounging

Never fight for a lounge chair in the sun again! Relax in your favorite outdoor area like your at your own private 5 star resort.

High End Outdoor Furniture For Entertaining

Are you someone who loves to open up your home and host the annual neighborhood party or family reunion? With the constant use the furniture is sure to get, make sure it is "high end" quality outdoor furniture.

Outdoor Shade

Creating a shaded area in an outdoor living area is essential to the comfort of anyone using it for extended periods of time. Modern day shade products are built with light weight strong metals & colorful fabrics made to stand up against even the harshest weather. Don't let the heat keep you from enjoying the great outdoors!

Umbrellas

Outdoor umbrellas come in a range of sizes, colors & styles to match your outdoor furniture theme or fabric pattern. High end outdoor umbrellas are made of durable metals that hold steady through powerful wind bursts, but are light weight enough to be moved to around your patio.

Awnings & Cabanas

Plan ahead to beat the heat! Make your outdoor patio more enjoyable with a quality patio shade awning or cabana! Just like a 5 star resort, cabanas create a private & comfortably shaded outdoor room while an awning will enable you to shade large outdoor areas.

Outdoor Fire Pit & Fireplace

It's no coincidence people always seem to naturally gather around the fire pit at backyard parties or events. In fact, humans have been sitting and socializing next to the fire for thousands of years. Thanks to a few advances in technology, today gas fire pits give you a blazing hot fire without making your clothes stink like a campfire

Fire Chat Pit

Enjoy your outdoor patio during the all year long, even on the coldest months of the year with a fire chat pit. It even looks great even when you are not using it!

Outdoor Fireplace

The very presence of a fireplace elevates the mood of an outdoor room. It becomes the focal point of your outdoor area and influences every decorating decision around it. A premium quality fireplace is like a frame around a masterwork of art.

Outdoor Kitchen Designs

Outdoor kitchen designs are becoming more and more popular in new housing plans simply because people love them. Why? Cooking outside is just better! Having an outdoor kitchen gives you an extension from your home's living area or kitchen to cook and entertain guests.

BBQ Grills

The center piece of your outdoor kitchen design, BBQ Grills are made with a variety of different performance levels and unique features. Before you choose the center piece of your ideal outdoor kitchen, make sure it fits your outdoor cooking style.

Grill Accessories & Counter Space

Customize your outdoor kitchen to fit how you like to cook outdoors. With grill accessories like, an outdoor refrigerator, stove counter top, cocktail making station, storage space to put cooking tools & many other outdoor kitchen accessories to make outdoor cooking more convenient. But don't get carried away with accessories and forget to leave yourself a little bit of counter space to set trays or dishes of food down.

Garden Fountains & Statuary

Bring your garden to life with the soothing sound of water from an elegant fountain that provides a comforting backdrop for your patio or yard. Add statuary or metal art to decorate your garden with your own personal style or theme.

Fountains

Bring the peaceful sound of water running by your favorite outdoor area. Garden fountains are created in hundreds of sizes and shapes to fit even the smallest outdoor spaces.

Statuary

Add a classic & elegant style to any corner of your garden or home. Garden statuary includes religious statues, planters, birdbaths, tables and decorative concrete benches designed from the industry’s leading manufacturers like Brandelli Arts, Fiore Stone, and many more.

We hope you enjoyed this Outdoor Living & Lifestyle Blog on 12 Patio Design Ideas. If you know someone that might like this, please help us share!

Outdoor Kitchens are becoming more and more popular in new housing designs simply because people love them. Why? Cooking outside is just better. Having an outdoor kitchen gives you an extension from your home's living area or kitchen to cook and entertain guests.

This blog features a collection of modern outdoor kitchens with different designs, features and styles that make them a part of our top 50 incredible outdoor kitchens.

Lynx Outdoor Kitchens & Grills

Alfresco Outdoor Kitchens & Grills

Download your Free copy of The Barbecue Grill Buying Guide to learn more about the different types of professional outdoor grills to fit your dream outdoor kitchen!

Know someone that might like this blog on outdoor kitchens? Share it & help us spread this post!

Special thanks to HGTV, Casual Living, Veranda, This Old House, Concrete Network, Ronda Outdoors, The Viking Craftsman, Pool Side Designs, Unique Landscapes, and Outdoor Galaxy for the beautiful photography seen in this post.

Put your grill to the test and see if it can still keep up with the grill tech of today.

If grilling with charcoal is a passion of yours, you more than likely have come across the Big Green Egg before. This versatile grill has become a very popular grill among charcoal enthusiasts and has become a common sight at competitions.

We are going to take a look at how the Big Green Egg works, some key features that make it unique and the variety of options to make the perfect grill for your needs. Let's get cooking.

How The Egg Cooks

The Big Green Egg is manufactured from high fiber ceramics developed for the Space Shuttle program designed to reflect heat.

The draft opening at the base is used to provide oxygen and ventalation to the grill.

There is a daisy wheel damper on top which is used to allow air flow control and temperature regulation. The more air flow results in a higher temperature.

Between the base and lid there is a gasket made of felt that maximizes moisture retention during long cookouts.

The sealed design of the grill is what delivers such a slow burn that uses much smaller amounts of charcoal compared to a regular grill.

Features & Highlights

Easy To Start, Easier To Finish

Because of the design of the Egg allows air flow to work like a fireplace, lighting the charcoal is simple and safe. Once the fire is lit, the grill reaches cooking temperature and is ready for use in minutes. Cleanup is easy too, rresidual heat burns away any grease build-up inside the grill, just like a self-cleaning oven.

Top-Tier Grill Tech

What makes The Big Green Egg truly a one-of-a-kind grill are the patented components that have been implemented. These state of the art ceramic technologies provide improved insulation, shock tolerance and material strength to ensure they will not crack or deteriorate over time.

Complete Temperature Control

Cooking at exact temperatures is easy with precise air flow control. Using the daisy wheel damper on the lid, the Egg can maintain accuracy within a few degrees.

Unmatched Versatility

The Big Green Egg can be used in a variety of different ways. You can use it as a grill to make some smoky chicken and tri-tip, or use it as an oven and bake some delicious personal pizza's for the family, or use it as a smoker and give your ribs the flavor you always thought they should have.

Safety First

Because of it's unique ceramic surface, the lid of the Big Green Egg cannot reach as high of temperatures as a metal grill. Dealing with lighter fluid can be dangerous, using an electric starter from Big Green Egg can take lighter fluid out picture completely.

Customized For You

The Big Green Egg is so easy and fun to customize, you never know what you will be inspired to cook. With so many choices, making your grill fit to your cooking style and needs is a must.

Big Green Egg offers countless of ways to customize your grill and outdoor kitchen. There are a variety of interesting, helpful accessories to set your grill apart. Just about the only thing you can't customize is the color.

Size Options

The Big Green Egg is available in 6 different sizes, all have the same functionality and features. Please keep in mind that some of the smaller grills may not be compatible with all of the accessory options.

XXLarge

This is the biggest Egg of them all, the XXLarge Big Green Egg can handle the largest family reunions or company cookouts. We are talking about a grill that is more than large enough to satisfy restaurant and catering needs. You will need to find quite a large crowd to tackle all of the ribs, steaks and burgers this monster can pump out.

XLarge

The cooking area of the XLarge Big Green Egg can easily accommodate meals for large families and can efficiently prepare several meals over the coals at once.

Large

The most popular size, the Large Big Green Egg is versatile enough to handle your weekend tri-tip cook-out or pizza party. Plus it is compatible with all EGGcessories.

Medium

The Medium Big Green Egg is the perfect size for smaller families and couples, plus it can still accommodate the most popular EGGcessories.

Small

The Small Big Green Egg is an easy fit for smaller patios and balconies, this little guy can still handle four burgers or chicken breasts at a time.

Mini

The Mini Big Green Egg is the perfect solution for tailgating and picnics, not to mention it is the perfect grill companion to take on the next camping or boating trip.

EGGcessories

The best way to customize the Big Green Egg and make it your own is by picking up some accessories to match your cooking style and dishes you like. There are a variety of cool and handy accessories that can help with any kind of cookout.

Starters & Charcoal

The days of using lighter fluid should be far behind you at this point there are now two much safer and easier solutions to getting the fire started.

Charcoal Starters - These light easily and are odorless and tasteless, with no chemical aromas or residue.

Electric Charcoal Lighter - For like ignition at the click of a finger, this handy device will have you cooking in minutes without even striking a match.

Temperature Control

The Big Green Egg comes equipped with an precise thermometer to measure the temperature inside the grill. However, for an accurate reading of the food getting cooked, there are some interesting accessories to help you get the perfect cook with absolute certainty.

infrared Thermometer - Safely measures the temperature of cooking surfaces without contact for precise heat control every time.

Wireless Thermometer - Monitor anything you are cooking and the internal Egg temperature at the same time. The wireless receiver displays both temperatures simultaneously so you are in control at all times.

Big Green Egg BBQ Guru - Designed to hold the desired temperature in your Big Green Egg for hours on end. This temperature control system is so advanced it will gradually lower the cooking temperature so foods won’t overcook.

Stones & Cookware

Big Green Egg has an amazing selection of cookware that make grilling up your favorite foods easy and fun. Some cookware options include cast iron grids, v-racks for ribs, poultry roasters, drip and stir-fry pans, and dutch ovens to make some amazing stews, soups or chili. Adding some of these accessories will open up tons of tasty possibilities for your grill.

Tiered Racks - If you find yourself needing to cook several different foods at once or preparing meals for a large crowd, try increasing the amount of cooking space in your Egg by using tiered racks and add two to three more levels.

Griddles - Panini's, eggs, bacon, pancakes, or sautéing vegetables, having a griddle on the grill expands the menu of delicious treats you can make with your Big Green Egg and allows more freedom to cook that would not be possible with the standard grid on it's own.

Pizza Tools

Baking amazing personal pizza's has been a big part of the Big Green Egg's success. There are some really fun and helpful accessories like the rolling mat for dough, baking stones for regular crust or deep dish, or a calzone press. These will get the whole family excited for pizza night.

Pizza Peel - Available in aluminum or wood, the pizza peel provides a convenient way to handle pizza, calzones and bread while keeping your hands away from the heat.

Rockin' Pizza Cutter - Cut down on cutting time with a pizza cutter. Simply press down and rock blade back and forth for quick and easy slices.

Slice Server - Serve up your tasty creations like a real Italian chef. Extra-wide blade is perfect for easy handling so you can serve up any impatient mouths in a hurry.

Tables & Islands

Because the Big Green Egg is so mobile, there is always a spot for one in any outdoor space. Some of these accessories can make the Egg easier to move around the backyard.

Large Nest - Equipped with wheels, the Large Nest raises the Egg to a comfortable cooking height.

Table Nest - Provides air flow beneath the Egg and are most commonly used for custom tables and outdoor kitchens.

Tables & Islands - Set up your own grill space with an table or island built for Big Green Egg grills. Islands come with drawers and cabinets to store your favorite cooking tools and accessories.

Why The Big Green Egg Is An Amazing Grill

1. Versatility

It is hard to match the versatility of the Big Green Egg when it can be used as a grill, an oven and even as a smoker. There are too many ways to use this all in one charcoal grill.

2. So Many EGGcessories

Big Green Egg offers so many handy, innovative accessories that can do everything from transporting your Egg, light up your grill space, and help get the most out of the Egg.

3. The Countless Delicious Possibilities

Take a look at some of the amazing creations "EGGheads" have grilled up with their favorite grill.

Interested in learning more about the best BBQ grills for your outdoor kitchen? Download your copy of The Barbecue Grill Buying Guide below.

Have you ever cooked on a Fornetto wood fired oven before? Then today is the day you learn about the fun new way of cooking outdoors!

Fornetto wood fire ovens offer a safe and easy way of creating authentic pizzas, amazing roast meats, baked breads, pasta and deserts or smoking an endless variety of food in your own backyard. These new Fornetto outdoor models now include cooking quality you would only expect from top indoor oven brands.

The Fornetto wood fire oven uses retained heat and natural convection to cook a wide variety of dishes. These wood fire ovens act as a versatile two in one oven and smoker.

How Does The Fornetto Outdoor Oven Work?

Wood chunks are placed in the heat chamber below the cooking chamber.

Temperature is controlled by adjusting the 3 ventilation valves on the front of the heat chamber.

The oven acts as a convection oven or natural wood smoker and includes ceramic fire bricks that line the bottom of the oven chamber. These ceramic bricks provide unrivaled heat retention. The Fornetto can reach temperatures up to 700 degrees Fahrenheit.

The Fornetto wood fire oven is unique because it can instantly become a smoker by opening the vents just above the heat chamber to filter 100% natural wood smoke into the cooking chamber.

Why Do People Love Cooking With Fornetto?

People love cooking with Fornetto's wood fired ovens for 3 main reasons.

First, the temperature versatility of Fornetto wood fire ovens allow you to cook anything that will fit. It is capable of reaching the heat levels to cook bread, pizza, ribs, chicken, seafood and much more.

Second, the unmistakable taste of natural wood smoke flavor you get cooked into your dish when using a Fornetto is not like anything you can achieve using an indoor gas oven.

Last but not least, cooking on a Fornetto wood fire oven is fun! Invite friends or family over, break out the Fornetto, roll up some dough, chop some toppings up and enjoy a fun night baking personal sized pizzas!

Questions to Ask?

What fuel source is best to use Fornetto?

Wood chunks burn for long periods of time and give you the rich, natural wood smoke flavor. Usually about the size of a fist, wood chunks give you greater temperature control than standard bigger logs. Recommended Fuel: Fornetto's 100% Natural Hardwood Lump Charcoal.

Are Fornetto wood fire oven's mobile?

Most wood fire ovens are not mobile. However, Fornetto Wood Fire Oven's include a set of wheels enabling you to move it around or store away when your not using it.

What does cleaning and maintenance include?

Ash accumulates in the Fornetto's heat chamber and is easily vacuumed or swiped out with a brush. Also because there is no electrical or small intricate parts there is very little maintenance that has to be done to the Fornetto. Fornetto ovens will practically take care of themselves and actually improve in flavor the more you use it.

No doubt you have tried out charcoal and gas grills, but this next type of grill is relatively new to the BBQ world. The wood pellet grills innovative design allows for close to perfect temperature control.

Here is everything you need to know before you check out a wood pellet grill for yourself.

We will breakdown everything from how a wood pellet grill works, to different temperature controllers, and what are the right questions to ask when looking for a pellet grill.

Take a look and see what makes wood pellet grills the fastest growing type of grill in America.

How Does A Wood Pellet Grill Work?

Cooking with a wood pellet grill gives you precise temperature control and great smoke flavor. Pellet BBQ's work both as a grill or a smoker.

Wood pellets are naturally shredded wood compacted into a quarter inch size round pellets giving you the natural wood smoke flavor. The small size and consistency of each pellet makes for predictable BTU outputs that gives you unrivaled temperature control.

Pellets are loaded into a storage bin attached to the grill called the hopper. A corkscrew mechanisim turned by a motor then feeds the pellets into the hot spot area under the cooking grates creating smoke and heat.

Air is taken in by a fan and blows air to create the a convection oven effect.

Using a wood pellet grill gives you the best of both rival grill categories. With natural wood pellets, it captures the natural wood smoke flavor like using a charcoal grill, but still retains the convenience and simplicity of a gas grill.

Temperature Controllers

The temperature controller is the most important component of a pellet grill.

The controller displays what temperature the grill is set for or what the current temperature is and dispenses the wood pellets accordingly to raise or lower heat output. Sounds easy right?

The biggest difference between wood pellet grills is the kind of temperature controls that different grill brands use. Don't settle for brands with average looking temperature controls. BBQ enthusiasts will tell you that every degree counts so invest in a quality and accurate temperature controller and you will never look back!

Take a look at the some different kinds of temperature controllers to consider

Digital-Custom by Memphis

Memphis Grills builds one of the top temperature controllers on the market.

The Memphis custom made digital control has probes built into the grill that read and measure the actual current temperature. If the temperature is below the set target temperature, the controller dispenses pellets and intakes more air flow to burn hotter.

Memphis Grills designed their own versatile custom controller that is very easy to use and can hold a temp within 5°F which is more accurate than most indoor ovens.

Why Do People Love Cooking With Wood Pellet Grills?

You should consider cooking with a wood pellet grill for five reasons.

1. Smoke and Flavor

With no fillers, chemicals or binders wood pellets inject strong and smoky flavors into the food you are cooking the longer it is on the grill. Wood pellet grills are perfect for long low temperature smoking that makes the meat tender and locks in great smoke flavor.

2. Set It & Forget It

Regardless if its rain, shine, winter or summer, pellet grills retain and hold the desired set temperature.

Smoke a rack of ribs at a low consistent temperature for hours by simply setting the desired temperature and then kick back till they are done.

3. Temperature Control

Wood pellet grills have precise temperature control within 5 degrees. That little heat fluctuation rivals many top indoor ovens. This is attributed to the small wood pellets that are dispensed out of the hopper and regulated continuous air flow that burns so consistently.

4. Easy To Use

Fill the hopper with pellets, set to a desired temperature and throw on the meat! Wood pellet grills make delicious BBQ easy and clean.

Despite their simplicity, many BBQ pit masters use wood pellet grills to compete and have had great success at various competitions around the country because of the unique natural wood flavor.

5. Clean Up Is Easy

Every 10 pounds of pellets the will produce only a half of a cup of ash. Ash needs to be removed about every 5-10 cooks for best performance. To clean the cooking grates just scrape the top with a metal brush.

Features For Wood Pellet Grills

Many top pellet grills share similar important features. Here are a few to remember when looking for a pellet grill.

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel provides superior heat retention and consistent temperatures in all weather conditions. Top wood pellet brands such as Memphis Grills builds all of their grills using stainless steal.

While other metals start to degrade after being exposed to the elements, stainless steel is durable and easy to clean.

Convection Fan System

A convection fan is what provides air flow to the burning wood pellets, thus creating its heat. A Convection fan system also helps distribute heat evenly throughout the grill resulting in tender and juicy results.

Wheels

Unless you mount your wood pellet grill it will come equipped with wheels. This enables you to move it around your backyard or hide the grill when you are not using it.

High Capacity Wood Pellet Hopper

The hopper is where you insert the wood pellets. If you slow cook meat for multiple hours, a larger pellet bin would better fit your needs.

Pellet Type

Pellet Caddy

Keeping your wood pellets dry and away from moisture is very important. If the wood pellets absorb any water they will not burn as effectively making it more difficult to reach high temperatures.

Power Generator

A mobile power generator lets you take your pellet grill wherever you go. Plug it in and go tailgating, camping, or to community BBQ events and show everyone what your pellet grill is capable of!

Cooking Tools

Having the right set of tools makes grilling that much more enjoyable.

With the right tools you create a better end result for your food. Something as simple as flipping the steak cleanly to keep seasoning on or a basting brush to sauce the ribs after you turn them makes all the difference.

Covers & Drawers

To increase the lifespan of your grill always cover it when you are not using it.

Keeping cooking or cleaning tools close by and protected is an overlooked accessory. Storage drawers keep everything you need conveniently outside, saving you the trips running into the house!

3 Questions to Ask

It maybe difficult to sear meat with convection temperatures this low, however there are inserts for direct heat searing and

2. Mobile or Mounted?

Many people who buy a wood pellet grill already have a gas or charcoal grill. BBQ enthusiasts who have multiple types grills often mount them on a BBQ island creating their own versitle outdoor kitchens.

If you prefer to put the grill on the side yard to save room or store it when not cooking on it, wheels or mobile will better suit your style.

Remember that wood pellet grills use electricity, keep in mind that you will need access to a power outlet nearby.

3. Can you use any brand of wood pellets?

For best results it is better to use a higher quality of wood pellets. Like a aged steak, the quality usually depends on where you buy it. It is best to look for a local BBQ grill dealer or a place that has extensive knowledge and experience cooking on pellet grills.

What Did You Learn

• Wood pellet grills are made to deliver unique wood smoke flavor

• There are different temperature controllers but digital temperature control is the current industry leading technology

• The quality of wood pellets effects the outcome and flavor of the item you cook on the grill

• What features are most important to look for when deciding on a wood pellet grill

• A feature that makes pellet grills unique is the ability to set the temperature and leave it for hours

Charcoal grills are a favorite among outdoor BBQ enthusiasts because of the unique flavor and the cooking experience you can only get from cooking with charcoal.

This guide will cover everything you need to know about charcoal grills.

We will breakdown everything from how charcoal grills work, to the different fuel choices and some questions you should ask yourself to help you find your perfect fit.

Take a look and see what has made charcoal grilling a staple in American grilling.

How Does A Charcoal Grill Work?

Cooking with a charcoal grill takes time and attention to detail.

Charcoal is loaded in the chamber just under the grill grate and is the fuel source. When burned, the charcoal will transform into embers radiating heat up toward the top vent.

Temperature is controlled by adjusting the top or bottom vents allowing more oxygen in or less. More results in a higher temperature and less oxygen to cool it down.

Types Of Charcoal Grills

There are a few types of charcoal grills. Some grills are square, round, or rectangular, some have lids while others do not, and some may or may not have a venting system for heat control.

The majority of charcoal grills fit into these categories.

Ceramic

The ceramic grill is the most versatile and effective type of charcoal grill because the ceramic chamber retains heat and moisture more efficiently than any other charcoal grill option.

Not only can these charcoal grills be used for grilling and smoking, but for baking pizza at 500 degrees as well. This is made possible by the excellent heat retention properties of the ceramic shell that can produce temperatures of up to 750 °F.

The top and bottom air vent control the temperature. Careful attention to the vent system and understanding that adjusting the airflow is key to controlling the temperature. These high quality charcoal grills can be used to cook anything that fits with perfectly even heat distribution.

Barrel

Barrel grills are the kind of grill that look like someone sliced a steel barrel in half lengthwise. It's hinges are attached so the top half forms the lid and the bottom half forms the charcoal holding chamber.

The vents that control airflow and temperature are cut into the top and bottom of the barrel. A chimney to control smoke from escaping attaches to the lid.

With the lid closed, heat can then be controlled with vents. Other designs may contain other features such as a smoke box, but the same basic barrel design does not change.

Kettle

The kettle grill is composed of a lid, cooking grid, charcoal grid, lower chamber, venting system, and legs. Some models include an ash catcher pan and wheels. The lower chamber that holds the charcoal is shaped like a kettle, giving the grill its name.

The key to the kettle grills' cooking abilities is its shape. The kettle design is meant to distribute heat evenly.

When the hood is down on the grill, it prevents flare-ups from dripping grease by controlling oxygen intake, and allows heat to circulate around the food as it cooks. It also holds in flavor-enhancing smoke produced by the dripping grease and smoldering charcoals.

Fuel Choices

There is widely known disagreement among grilling enthusiasts on what type of charcoal is best for grilling. Lump Charcoal or Charcoal Briquettes?

Lump Charcoal

Lump is charcoal in its most natural form. Lump charcoal is easy to light, produces less ash than standard briquettes and gives you natural smoke flavor when you cook with it.

Lump Charcoal also is very responsive to oxygen, making it easier to control temperatures. Lump contains no chemicals or fillers to help light up or burn longer.

In the end, lump charcoal is easier to light, burns hotter and is a cleaner option than other standard charcoal briquettes.

Charcoal Briquettes

Charcoal briquettes have been compared to by users as the fast food of charcoal.

Briquettes emphasizes uniformity in size, burn length, and light up easy. However, some of the chemicals used to create those characteristics are hazardous to your health during the early burning stages.

It is important to wait until you see ash on the top of the briquettes before placing any food on the grill.

Why People Love Cooking With Charcoal

Considering a charcoal grill is a smart idea for five reasons.

1.Flavor

When you slow smoke a piece of meat you want to give it plenty of time on the grill so it can absorb all the smoke flavored aromas. Lump charcoal emits stronger smoke aromas and flavors that penetrate the food from every angle.

2.Portability

Many charcoal grills come pre-equipped with wheel nests or carts and are can be easily lifted of the ground by two people. A bag of charcoal bag thrown in the back of a truck and your off to the game!

3.Temperature Range

Charcoal grills allow you to increase the cooking temperatureby adjusting the air vents on the top and bottom of the grill. You can slowly cook a rack of ribs at 225 degrees for four hours or bake a pizza at 500 degrees for 20 minutes!

4.Easy Maintenance

Charcoal grills are easy to maintain because the mechanisms are not complex. There is a grill grate, a compartment where charcoal is placed and a chamber bellow that collects excess ash. Ash can be easily removed by a shop vacuum, the grill scraped clean and Bam! Clean up is over.

5.The Culture

This might seem silly to some but not for people who love loading up the charcoal grill to kill a few hours on a hot Saturday afternoon.

There is an art to fine smoking and grilling that takes experience to understand. Ask any BBQ lover if they regretted any time spent on a perfectly seasoned, seared, smoked and juicy steak.

Features For Charcoal Grills

Consider these features for you charcoal grill. Each one adds convience to you grilling experience and makes your cook out just a little but easier.

Mobile or Mounted

Do you want your charcoal grill mounted near your outdoor kitchen or do you prefer to hide it when you are not using it? Many charcoal grills will come with a set of wheels that may be taken off if needed.

Plate Setter

Plate setters are a flat piece of ceramic made by Big Green Egg that is placed inside the grill just above the charcoal fire. It keeps direct flames off your food creating a more consistent temperature throughout the interior of the grill. Plate Setter's also allow you to place pizza plates or racks on top to hold ribs.

Lights

Cooking in the dark is a recipe for burnt BBQ! A grill light, either attached or free standing, is key for grilling at night. Invest in one and you will thank yourself over and over.

Cast Iron Cook Grids

Cooking grids made of cast iron are extremely durable, easy to clean and also leave that perfect sear mark on your steaks!

V-Racks

V-Racks are used to hold racks of ribs when upright. Flip the rack upside down and it holds roasts or poultry upright.

Handy Accessories To Consider

Starters

Fire starters that you break off work best so you can strategically place your hot spots evenly. Three evenly spaced, two inch square cubes are enough to get a solid base heat. These fiber blocks burn clean and can get your grill started quickly and safely.

Covers & Drawers

Protect your grill. When you are not using it, a grill cover is a necessity to sheild your grill from the elements.

Having a place to keep all your tools protected and conveniently close to the action is important as well. Storage drawers keep your grilling, marinating and cleaning tools right were they need to be,saving you the trip running into the house.

3 Questions You Should Ask Yourself

1. What size grill do I want?

It all depends on what your style of cooking is. The bigger the grill you have, the more flexibility you have to cook more items at the same time.

If you like to show off your skills by feeding the whole neighborhood and are a fan of big roasts and racks of ribs bigger is always better!

Charcoal grills normally range from 120 square inches all the way to 700 square inches.

If you want something to fit for smaller patios or balconies and is able to prepare four burgers or chicken breasts at a time, 177 square inches is a standard size that would suit your needs.

But if you are looking serve up fourteen racks of ribs, twenty-four burgers or a couple of holiday turkeys, you will probably need about 600+ square inches of grill surface space.

2. Charcoal Briquettes or Lump Charcoal?

If your going for most economical then charcoal briquettes such as Kingsford are the better option. They offer a long and hot burn.

However, lump charcoal is the overall better choice when you see for yourself how fast it starts up, reacts to oxygen and changes temperature and most of all adds great smoke flavors!

3. What type of Charcoal Grill is the best?

Once again this comes down to personal grilling style. Personally, I prefer a ceramic charcoal grill for a couple reasons. I rarely cook for more than five people so size isn't and issue and the ceramic material is the best at keeping heat in and cold air out giving me better temperature control.

However, if you are love cooking multiple racks of ribs at one time then a barrel grill offers huge surface space. Some people make their own extra large barrel grills specially made for smoking large amounts of meat.

What Did You Learn

•Why charcoal grills have been a staple for backyard grilling in America for a hundred years.

•Overall flavor, heat control and quality is what sets charcoal grills apart from competing grills and gives you a great BBQ experience.

•What features are important when building your charcoal BBQ space.

•Tons of creative tools that can make grilling with charcoal more convenient and fun.

Download your free copy of The BBQ Grill Buying Guide! Learn even more about top outdoor grills!

Burns Clean, By using natural gas or propane you significantly reduce the levels of carbon monoxide and volatile organic compounds released.

Propane or natural gas is more economical per cook out than charcoal.

Why do people love gas grills?

Simply put, gas grilling is clean and quick.

No old Kingsford bag.

No stacking or finding your chimney starter.

Gas grills heat up to high temperatures in minutes.

You have the ability to grill different items at different heat levels at the same time.

Cooking on charcoal or wood does give you undeniable great taste and a savory smoke flavor but gas grills are a quick fix for those last minute dinners after a long day at work.

When dinner is over, there's no ash or mess to clean up. Return the setting to off, scrape a metal brush over the cooking grate and clean-up is over. Cooking on gas is all about convenience.

Features for gas grills

Before you consider features for the grill you want, decide whether you would prefer your gas grill to be permanently mounted or mobile. Is your grill going to be the centerpiece of your backyard or would you prefer not to see it when your not using it?

Gas burners are designed to have an evenly spaced heat distribution, so that there are no hot or cold spots on the surface of the grill.

Cooking grids should be spaced close together so that small food will not fall through while grilling, but still far enough apart that heat can penetrate the cooking surface.

Grill hoods come in different sizes and styles. Two popular features of grill hoods include a feather light lift aid and a glass see through window to check on whats cooking!

Infrared Burners are used to grill at super high temperatures of 1000 to 1400 degrees Fahrenheit. Grilling at temperatures that high creates a series of chemical reactions that rapidly take place when proteins and sugars are super heated, also known as searing. This locks in essential juices and adds flavor to your meat.

Grill lights are key for grilling at night. Barbecuing in the dark is a recipe for burnt food. Having a built in lighting feature on your gas grill is very important.

Important accessories for gas grills

For example, smoke boxes are filled with wood chips and are attached to or placed inside the grill to create aroma compounds and natural wood smoke flavor.

Warming drawers keep already cooked food at a warm temperature while you put the finishing touches on those steaks.

Rotisseries are a cooking appliance that is attachable to your grill with a rotating spit for roasting and barbecuing meat evenly.

Having storage drawers enables you to keep your grill cooking and cleaning tools conveniently outside, saving you the trip running into the house to grab a marinade brush.

Each plays a role in ensuring maximum performance for your gas grill.

3 Questions to ask yourself

What are the BTU ratings? BTU means British Thermal Units and tells you how much heat the individual gas grill will generate. Knowing the BTU of the grill will help you to make a more accurate decision based on how much power you would like your gas grill to have.

What size grill do I want? The size of your grill should depend on one thing. Do you need a diversified grill? Meaning, the bigger the grill you have, the more flexibility you have to cook different items at different heat levels at the same time. Gas grills normally range from 30" all the way to 54".

Do I want to move my grill mobile or mounted? Are you trying to build an outdoor kitchen with accessories and appliances built in next to your grill? Or is mobility for your grill more important for your backyard?

What You Learned

Gas grills heat up to high temperatures in just minutes

They are easy to clean and maintain

More burners or surface grilling space means the ability to barbecue different items at various temperatures at the same time.

There is no mistaking the smokey flavor that comes from grilling with wood or charcoal.

Brands like the Big Green Egg, Fornetto, and Memphis have gained a reputation for being the best wood and charcoal grills in their class. But without getting to touch the metal or test how it cooks, it is hard to pick out which one is the best fit for you.

So get your research done and check out the three best wood & charcoal grills on the market to see which one is the most deserving of a spot in your backyard.

1) The Big Green Egg

The Big Green Egg is a modern ceramic marvel known for producing amazing culinary results for novice and experts alike for over thirty years.

The Big Green Egg stands alone as the most versatile barbecue or outdoor cooking product on the market, with more capabilities than all other conventional cookers combined.

It has the ability to be used as a grill, oven or a smoker. From appetizers to entrees to desserts, the Big Green Egg will exceed all of your expectations for culinary perfection… and with five sizes to choose from, there is a Big Green Egg to fit any lifestyle!

Large Green Egg

The biggest green egg of them all provides a cooking area that can easily accommodate meals for large families and cookouts with all your friends – and you can efficiently prepare several meals over the coals at once.

Ready to serve up fourteen rack of ribs, twenty-four burgers or a couple of holiday turkeys with all the trimmings? No problem!

This is definitly the grill you will want to take a closer look at to see what makes it the most saught after grill on the market right now.

What people saying about their Big Green Egg

2) Fornetto

With features you'd expect to see on indoor oven, Fornetto products raise the bar on wood fired cooking and cooking outdoors.

The Fornetto Oven & Smoker

The Fornetto has an oven capacity of 61.2 litres or 16.2 gallons. Fully lined in stainless steel, and with its ceramic pizza stone and adjustable sliding wire shelves you can cook an array of dishes easily.

There are no limits to what you can cook in your wood fired oven. Whatever you can cook in the oven in your kitchen you can do in your Fornetto. Truly! The difference is the amazing flavours that only authentic wood fired cooking brings to every dish.

Memphis Elite

Big, bold, and made in the USA, the Memphis Elite wood pellet grill is the ultimate addition to any outdoor kitchen.

With a whopping 1252 sq. inches of cooking surface, a large24 lb. pellet hopper,dual metal convection fans, and precise temperature control capable of anything from 180° to 700°, the Memphis Elite is truly a revolutionary cooking appliance.

What People Are Saying About Their Memphis Grill

Try One Out

You can do hours of research online, but when it comes to grills, you really need to get your hands on it in order to decide if it's the right one for your backyard.

Come into Outdoor Elegance in La Verne and check out our entire inventory of outdoor kitchens. We carry all the names you trust including of course Big Green Egg, Fornetto, and Memphis.

Download your Free copy of The BBQ Buying Guide here! Learn about all the top grills before you buy!

Have you found your love for outdoor cooking? How often do you cook on your outdoor gas grill? The average American will use their grill 2-3 times a week, often more frequently in summer months.

Maybe you are starting to realize that your old barbecue just doesn't burn as hot or consistent as it used to. A grill is not just a cooking tool for your backyard. Your grill is the centerpiece of your outdoor kitchen, which shows you have dedication and pride in your home. Most importantly, your outdoor kitchen is a place to catch up and laugh with family or friends and enjoy cooking great BBQ.

Gas Grills

Gas grills are the top selling BBQ in America. They stand alone in consistency and convenience. For those last minute dinners we throw together after work, gas grills heat up in just a few minutes and many now include a push start lighter.

Clean up is a breeze too! Simply turn the heat on high to burn off any excess grease and scrape the grill with a metal brush.

The two options for fueling outdoor gas grills are propane and natural gas. Both natural gas and propane offer a consistent, hot and clean burn for an affordable price.

The knock on gas grills is that you miss out on the smoke and flavors of a charcoal grill.However, gas grills now offer grill additions such as a smoke box, that creates the natural smoke and flavors of a charcoal or wood smoker. Other extensions include a warming drawer, stove burners, and rotisserie attachments.

In 2005, Twin Eagles introduced it's first line of grills and appliances. Twin Eagles has used their past experience in the professional cooking appliance industry to refine and perfect their grills and appliances to ensure exceptional design, construction and performance.

Viking brought professional cooking appliances to the home. Viking was started and still manufactures in Greenwood, Mississippi. Today Viking is one of the premier manufactures of home appliances and outdoor kitchen products.